Tripod incense burner

Tripod incense burner

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

With its three straight legs, deep bowl, and two handles, this porcelain echoes the ding, one of the most important forms of ancient Chinese ritual vessel. Ding were used as food and storage vessels and for ritual offerings. Like many ancient Chinese bronzes, ding were symbols of power and authority, and vessels in their shape were made in various materials and were popular with collectors.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

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The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.